Loose-leaf binder



' E. c. MAHON.

LOOSE LEAF'BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5. 1920.

1,387,859. I Patented Aug. 16, 1921-.

1? tries.

ELMER C. MAHON, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELMER C. MAHON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Toledo, county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have made an Invention Appertaining to a Loose-Leaf Binder; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to loose-leaf holders or binders, and has for its object the provision of a simple, efficient and economical binder of this character which is adapted more particularly for use in schools to hold loose-leaves for writing purposes and to enable the sheets when written on one side to be reversed and written on the other side, thereby not only conserving in paper but effecting a considerable saving in expense.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, and while, in its broader aspect, it is capable of embodiment in numerous forms, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a; binder embodying the invention with a plurality of sheets held thereby, and Fig. 2 is a side edge elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a stiff board-like member forming the back of the sheet holder and being of a size suitable for the largest sized sheet 2 which it is desired to hold. The back 1 is provided on its front side across its top edge with a ledge or elevated portion 3 having a straight edge 4 against which the upper ends of the sheets 2 may abut.

A clamping wing 5 of angled or substantially L-form in cross-section and of a length preferably substantially equal to the width of the sheets to be held is ivoted at one edge for free vertical swinging movements to the top of the ledge 3 and has its other edge positioned to bear against the top surface of the upper sheet 2 of a set adjacent to its upper edge. The means illustrated for Specification of Letters Patent. Pgtgnted Aug; 16' 1921 Application filed April 5, l

1920. Serial No. 371,180.

pivotally connecting the clamping wing to the ledge 3 comprises circular loops or staple-like members 6 which have their ends fixed in the ledge 3 and their looped portions projecting therefrom and loosely through apertures 7 in the adjacent edge of the clamping wing.

The top side of the clamping wing 5 inclines from the ledge 3, even when the clamping edge of the wing is resting on the back 1, and the wing is adj ustably held in clamped position by a winged cross-arm or member 8, which is pivoted to the top of the ledge 3 centrally of its ends and is adapted to be turned with either wing or arm projecting over the adjacent edge portion of the clamping wing 5 to hold it in loose leaf Or sheet clamping position. The extent of turning of the member 8 depends on the inclination of the top portion of the clamping wing 5. If a set of loose-leaves of considerable thickness is clamped beneath the wing 5 the member 8 can only be turned partly over the same unless the springing of the wing metal permits such movement.

It is evident that my loose-leaf binder not only provides a stiff backing member for the sheets but also is adapted to hold, within certain limits, any number of loose sheets and to enable the sheets to be quickly removed therefrom or to be reversed for writing on both sides. It is also evident that the clamping member 5 at its points of engagement with the sheets forms a straight edge to facilitate the straight tearing of a sheet from theclamped stub portion thereof if it is not desired to release the clamping member to permit a removal of the sheet therefrom.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement, or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without departing from the spirit of the claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

A loose-leaf binder comprising a stiff backing member having a cross ledge at its upper end, a clamping member L-form in cross-section hinged at one edge to the ledge for vertical swinging movements and when 111 clamping position having its hinged flange projecting on an inciine from the ledge and its other flange projecting toward the backing member in clamping engagement with sheets disposed thereover, and a holding arm pivoted to the ledge for swinging movements over the inclined flange of the clamping member to adjustably hold it in clamping position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

ELMER C. MAHON. 

